Food thickening agent, method for producing food thickening agent

ABSTRACT

The disclosed invention provides a food and water thickener and a method for preparing the food and water thickener. The food thickener may comprise pretreated mineral water, xanthan, food preservative, and a chelating agent. The invention can be suitable for providing nutrition to patients with dysphagia.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This utility application claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/928,014, filed on May 7, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a food thickening agent and a method for producing a food thickening agent, and more specifically, the present invention relates to a food thickening agent having a long shelf life for use by patients with dysphagia and a method for producing such a food thickening agent.

2. Background of the Invention

Patients with dysphagia have difficulty swallowing food and water without aspirating it. As such, these patients have difficulty swallowing liquid and soft foods. Instead, they must mix such liquid and food with thickening agents.

Currently, manufacturers use modified food starch or xanthan gum to thicken water and other beverages. These thickeners, besides thickening the beverage, carry with them their own flavors, which need to be masked. Manufacturers, including those that use xanthan, use an acid (usually citric add, acetic add or others) to cover the flavor. The add also aids in stability of the product (shelf life). What the acid does though, is bring its own flavor, which is more palatable than the starch or xanthan alone. The acid also has the tendency to yellow the product. This is not noticeable with the starch based material, as it already is cloudy and slightly yellow to begin with. It is very noticeable with the xanthan products, although some of them are naturally opaque as well. As a result of the use of these acids, the product seldom has a look or taste that is natural, especially when trying to reproduce a glass of natural looking and tasting water.

Specifically, it is not uncommon for some food thickeners based on cornstarch to mask the taste and desired consistency of carrots with as little as 5×10⁻⁵ weight percent of the thickener/nourishment comprised of the food thickener. A vicious cycle then develops, whereby patients take a sip of the thickened nourishment, then set it aside perhaps to consume later. The longer the liquor sets, the longer amylase (an enzyme in saliva that is transferred to the liquor) has to break down the cornstarch, thereby reducing the thickness (and therefore the usability) of the liquor.

Also, most thickening products currently available, once processed and opened for use have shelf-lives on the order of from eight hours at room temperature, to one week at refrigeration temperatures. This is due to the instability of starch in starch products and moisture content in xanthan products (see discussion below). Thickeners that show the highest M_(E) (end moisture content) have the highest chance of spoilage when compared to thickeners that have low M_(E), as discussed in Liang et al. Bachelor Engineering Thesis, University of Queensland, 2004.

For example, xanthan gum is utilized as the viscous fluid in the invented mixture. In these cases, water retention is highest, due to the ease in which xanthan's hydroxyl groups form hydrogen bonds with the dispersing media, as detailed in Sopade et al., Eur. Food Res Technol 224:555-560. Hydration or water binding capacity of food is of prime significance for food processors and handlers because sorption properties affect storage, end-use, packaging requirements and certain physical properties.

A need exists in the art for a food thickening agent that, when mixed with food, does not alter the appearance, taste and color of the food, even in thickener loadings exceeding 40 weight percent. The agent should be viable at neutral to basic pH levels. The thickening agent should be inexpensive to manufacture. Also, the thickening agent should have a shelf life of at least 90 days, and preferably greater than 150 days. Finally, the agent should allow patients with dysphasia the opportunity to hydrate from a simple glass of water.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a food thickener, and a method for producing a food thickener, that overcomes many of the disadvantages of the prior art.

Another object of the invention is to provide a food thickener that has a long shelf life. A feature of the invention is utilization of a sulfur and mineral scavenger in the thickener. An advantage of the invention is that the scavenger would prevent promulgation of sulfur-philic bacteria in the liquor. It, along with high heat treatment, provides a means for reducing water activity, which otherwise fosters microbial growth.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a food thickener having a long shelf life. A feature of the invention is the addition of an agent which scavenges free ions and elemental sulfur present in liquor components. An advantage of the invention is a minimization of discoloration of the liquor over time and a minimization of taste loss over time.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for enhancing tongue sensation in stroke patients. A feature of the invention is increasing mass of nourishment by mixing the nourishment with a high mass food thickener to produce a thickened food liquor with a density of between 750 and 1200 grams per milliliter. An advantage of the invention is that the color and flavor of the nourishment is not compromised, despite the nourishment being mixed with the food thickener. Another advantage is that the increased mass and density of the nourishment invokes a swallow response such that the stroke patients swallow the nourishment instead of aspirating it.

Briefly, the invention provides a method for preparing food and liquid thickener, the method comprising pretreating mineral water; combining the pretreated mineral water with a food preservative to produce a first mixture; heating the first mixture to a first temperature and then combining the heated mixture with a chelating/antimicrobial agent to produce a second mixture; combining the second mixture with a sequestration agent to form a third mixture and then maintaining the third mixture at a second temperature; adding xanthan to the third mixture to create a fourth mixture; and homogenizing the fourth mixture.

Also provided is a method for producing thickened alcoholic beverages, the method comprising pretreating mineral water; combining the pretreated mineral water with a food preservative to produce a first mixture; heating the first mixture to a first temperature and then combining the heated mixture with a chelating/antimicrobial agent to produce a second mixture; combining the second mixture with a sequestering agent to form a third mixture and then maintaining the third mixture at a second temperature; adding viscous fluid to the third mixture to create a fourth mixture; homogenizing the fourth mixture; mixing the homogenized mixture with fluid containing ethanol.

The invention further provides a method for invoking a swallow response in dysphagic patients, the method comprising increasing the mass of food to between 750 grams per liter and 1500 grams per liter; and orally administering the food to dysphagic patients.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

The invention together with the above and other objects and advantages will be best understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a protocol for producing food thickener, in accordance with features of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a process for making a more natural flavored thickened liquid or solid food. A liquid food or solid food thickener is provided that would be palatable, mix well with liquid and/or solid nourishment. In its pure form (i.e., neat), the invented thickener is as clear and colorless as water. While in the past, patients with dysphasia could only hydrate themselves from a flavored fluid or a fluid with a masked flavor, the invented formulation allows such patients to hydrate from a simple glass of water.

The thickener can be used with a myriad of liquid foods, including but not limited to water, wine, beer, distilled spirits, vegetable juice, fruit juice, soft drinks, milk, and combinations thereof. The thickener is also used with all solid foods, including but not limited to meat, fish, poultry, diary products, such as cheese and yogurt, vegetables, fruits, grains, and combinations thereof. The only requirement with the mixture of the thickener with the solid food is to puree the solid food to a desired consistency. The thickener also can be used with a myriad of powdered formulations such as protein powders, flavored powders and syrups, and various condiments.

The thickener maintains its palatability and original appearance for at least 120 days after exposure to air, typically 150 days after air exposure and up to 180 days after exposure to air; even during continuous exposure to air and/or the atmosphere. The thickener is likewise resilient to exposure to enzymes found in saliva, such as amylase, for the same period of time.

The invention provides a means for maintaining the food thickener such that its color or flavor does not degrade and end up effecting the nourishment with which it combines. Specifically, mixing EDTA with xanthan and mineral water results in a liquor which has a shelf life noted supra, typically as 150 days.

In an embodiment of the invented thickening agent, weight percents of xanthan to total food thickener are between 3 grams/liter and 11 grams/liter. An exemplary xanthan weight percent is approximately 0.7 for “nectar” formulations. Weight percents of sodium hexametaphosphate are between 83 milligrams (mg)/liter and 150 mg/liter. An exemplary sodium hexametaphosphate weight percent is approximately 0.004 for nectar formulations. Weight percents of EDTA to total food thickener are between 10 mg/liter and 30 mg/liter. An exemplary EDTA weight percent to total food thickener is approximately 4.5×10⁻⁶.

While a portion of this specification features the use of xanthan as a thickener, and includes empirical data regarding same, the invention is enabled by other thickeners'. For example, aside from xanthan, other thickeners are suitable, including but not limited to polysaccharides such as Carrageenan, Guar Gum, modified food starch, cellulose-containing material, including, but not limited to, carboxyl methyl cellulose. Generally, any thickener or viscous agent, such as xanthan with an inclusion rate of between 0.1 g/L and 10 g/L is suitable. The inclusion rate is the weight percent of viscous agent necessary to confer the required viscosity, mass values, and preservation characteristics of the invented food thickener. For example, the inclusion rate for xanthan is approximately 6 grams per liter for “nectar”, 10 grams per liter for “honey”, and 19 grams per liter for “pudding”. Nectar, honey, and pudding designations are conferred by the industry as having centipoises values of between 51-350 centipoise (cp), 351-1750 cp, and more than 1750 cp respectively.

Xanthan is a preferable thickening agent in the invented liquor given its relative stability compared to certain starches. First, as a by-product of bacterial action, xanthan is relatively particulate free, thereby eliminating the graininess associated with corn starch based products.

Second, certain enzymes in the mouth, including amylase, will not degrade xanthan, but will degrade a cornstarch product.

Also, the inventor has found that its plethora of hydroxyl ions provides xanthan with superior absorption rates. This is particularly important in patients who cannot even tolerate solid foods, as xanthan will permeate meat. This means for enhanced absorption is not lost in the instant liquor, given the latter's ability to work at pH values ranging from 4 to 9.

The liquor provides a food thickening agent that, when combined with food, does not alter the pH of the food or its the viscosity or flavor, while simultaneously increasing its water content or hydration (up to 150 times its normal level). For example, carrots have a solids content of 12 percent (corresponding to a water content of 88 weight percent). When mixed with the invented food thickener at a 1:1 weight ratio, the solids content of the now thickened carrots drops to six percent, thereby doubling its water content, and without altering the flavor or texture of the carrots. This results in increasing the patient's hydration from food intake.

Surprisingly and unexpectedly, the inventors found that adding clarified xanthan allows more water to be absorbed by the food (meat, fruits, vegetables, combinations thereof). Water weight increases range from 30 percent to 150 percent without altering the food's viscosity, or texture.

Suitable Xanthan is that which meets the specifications of the National Formulary, the Food Chemicals Codex and the J.E.C.F.A. These specifications include the following:

General Characteristics:

Viscosity (1.0% in 1.0% KCl) 1400-1800 cP

Particle Size 98% minimum through USS 16 mesh, 1190μ 12% maximum through USS 80 mesh, 177μ

Powder Color Not less than 60

pH (1.0% Solution) 5.5 to 8.1

Standard Specifications:

Identification Meets NF/FCC tests

Assay Meets NF/FCC tests

Loss on Drying Not more than 15%

Viscosity Meets NF/FCC tests

Ash Between 6.5% and 16%

Arsenic Not more than 3 ppm

Lead Not more than 5 ppm

Heavy Metals (as Pb) Not more than 20 ppm

Isopropyl Alcohol Not more than 750 ppm

Pyruvic Add Not less than 1.5%

Nitrogen Not more than 1.5%

Microbiological:

Total Plate Count Not more than 2000/g

Yeast and Molds Not more than 100/g

Salmonella Meets NF test

Escherichia coli Meets NF test.

Shelf Life:

36 months from the certificate of analysis test date

While the xanthan starts off clear, over time it yellows. For example, when the xanthan is mixed with distilled water, or, in a separate trial, mixed with tap water, over time (usually within 30 days) the product yellowed and developed a foul taste. Specifically, the inventor found that “tap water” which contains typical elements (iron, chlorine, etc) is contraindicated with the invented process. Specifically, water gleaned from municipal water sources contains chlorine which facilitates rapid yellowing of water. This is because chlorine binds to xanthan sugars which cause an increase in opacity and yellowing.

In a third trial, the xanthan was mixed with artesian mineral water. The taste improved at the onset, however, it too yellowed and got even more distasteful over time.

EDTA was then added to aid in flavor preservation. Immediately, flavor improved. Color at first got worse. Generally, acids such as citric, acetic and ascorbic are used to mask unpalatable flavor of aging thickeners.

Prior to the mixing of Xanthan to any food preservation agents or chelating agents, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, citric acid, and combinations thereof is added to the mineral water to eradicate, minimize or otherwise neutralize any microbes present in the mineral water. It is important that this first antimicrobial agent be added early in the protocol. (Sodium hexametaphosphate is added later as a second antimicrobial agent.) Adding the benzoate too close to the food preservation agents and chelating agents such as acidic sodium hexametaphosphate and EDTA will cause the benzoate to become neutralized.

Next, the liquor is heated to 70 C so as to eliminate all but the most heat-resistant bacteria, or thermoduric bacteria, Heating is maintained for a time sufficient (as empirically determined) to reduce bacteria numbers. In one embodiment, a five-minute heating time is chosen. Sodium hexametaphosphate is then added as another antimicrobial agent. However, less sodium hexametaphosphate is needed inasmuch as a lower bacteria load exists in heated liquor compared to unheated liquor. Sodium hexametaphosphate acts as an antimicrobial by binding to the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria, thereby facilitating the break down of the outer membrane. Target bacteria genuses include, but are not limited to Pseudomonas, Escherichia, and Listeria. Within those genuses, target species include Pseudomonas aeruginosia, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes.

It is the temperature in combination with the time that is most critical to breaking down the outer membrane of the bacteria. The liquor is heated at the point of addition of the sodium hexametaphosphate. With some bacteria the outer membrane is broken down in seconds. The 5 minute minimum is based upon a non-linear pasteurization curve. That curve starts at 62.7 C for 30 minutes and goes through 84.4 C for 5 seconds. 70 C is more than twice the recommended time for the temperature, however the heat also provides a means for facilitating quick dissolution of the sodium hexametaphosphate.

Sodium hexametaphosphate also serves as a chelating agent. Sodium Hexametaphosphate is available at a myriad of commercial outlets, including Alfa Aesar of New York, N.Y.

Surprisingly and unexpectedly, the inventor found that heating the liquor containing both the sodium benzoate and the sodium hexametaphosphate cured the discoloration problem. The flavor stayed pure for 90 days in the lab. The sodium hexametaphosphate is especially useful to tie up the free minerals such as sulfur, which otherwise would be converted by sulfur degrading bacteria to foul smelling and tasting sulfur dioxide. Empirically, the amount of free ions is calculated in the mineral water supply, and a concentration of sodium hexametaphosphate determined to tie up the ions.

After suitable reaction with the sodium hexametaphosphate, a sequestration agent is added, Suitable sequestration agents include, but are not limited to EDTA, CarboxylMethyl Cellulose, and combinations thereof.

One of the salient features of the invention was ionic (i.e., noncovalent) sequestration of free minerals with EDTA. EDTA binds to multivalent ions via four carboxylate groups and two amine groups. It is especially important in the removal of Iron III, which would otherwise yellow the water when acted upon by iron degrading bacteria. Also, as these bacteria oxidize the iron, an off flavor results.

In sequestering the free minerals, EDTA also lowers the water activity, Initial tests by the inventor show a water activity level of 0.89 to 0.95. (Water activity is measured in the industry on a scale of 0 to 1.). Surprisingly and unexpectedly, after sterilizing the water with the addition of EDTA, water activity levels dropped to less than 0.75. This makes the invented food thickener less susceptible to E. coli, Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella, C. botulinum, lactobacillus and many yeasts and molds, thereby providing the heretofore discussed 150 day shelf life for air-exposed formulations.

An embodiment of the food thickener exhibits water activity levels of 0.67.

The inventor found that reducing the a.w. greater increased shelf life. Shelf lives of at least 120 days, and typically 150 days in sterile packaging are achieved when commercial packaging protocols are utilized. For example, “Bag-In-Box” liquid packaging is now common protocol in the packaging industry, with food packaged/bagged through a commercial Liquid Box bagger, such as Model 1000-cit-w from Liquibox Corporation, Akron, Ohio, as one example. Other liquid bag-in-box protocols will work as well. Preferably, shelf life is enhanced with the utilization of an inert fluid purge (i.e. nitrogen, helium, argon) at the beginning and end of bag fill cycles,

Protocol Detail

One embodiment of the invented process includes the following protocol: First, water used in the liquor must have particular characteristics. Suitable water is mineral water. Mineral water by definition has a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) count of at least 280 mg/liter.

Mineral water with a pH of between 6.5 and 10 is suitable, with a pH of 8 preferable. The water is then filtered (activated carbon is a suitable filtration means) to remove free iron. The first filtered water is then subjected to subsequent filtration down to one micron (for example with the aid of a polywoven Rosedale screen) to further remove residual iron remaining from the carbon filtration step.

Optionally, the water is then subjected to UV radiation to eradicate any remaining viable microorganisms and fauna. If the water is known to not contain bromide, then ozonation can be utilized instead, or in conjunction with UV treatment.

In one embodiment, starting with mineral water, pH 8, 280 mg/l mineral content, the water is heated. After holding temperature for at least 5 minutes, sodium hexametaphosphate is added at a rate of 750 parts per million (ppm). Then, the liquor is heated to boiling for total dissolution and sterilization. About 35-40 ppm, and preferably 38 ppm EDTA is added and heated to <180F. EDTA is required to sequester and otherwise isolate ions and free elements found in mineral water, namely calcium, iron, sulfur, phosphorus, bromides and magnesium.

Finally, clarified and hydrolyzed xanthan is added to the desired viscosity. The xanthan must be clarified for best results, as it will yellow if it is not clarified. Clarification before addition eliminates the need for filtering finished product for clarity.

A detailed protocol for another embodiment of the invention appears below:

1. Sodium benzoate—no greater than 0.05% by weight of finished product per FDA regulations. In the laboratory, a one liter flask is weighed, then filled exactly to one liter, and weighed again, so as to arrive at a grams per liter value. Then, 0.05 percent of the weight is determined by multiplying 0.0005 times the weight in grams. The sodium benzoate is added to water at room temperature. This is the first ingredient, added to the water at a rate of 5 min test/100 gal water. Addition of sodium benzoate is done at room temperature. It is added first to slow or stop microbial action that may be occurring. It also aids in extending shelf life.

2. Sodium Hex—at 280 mg/L mineral content of water, add at a rate of 750 ppm, at approximately 77° C. Suitable temperatures range from 70° C. to less than 100° C. Preferably, the sodium hexametaphosphate is added after the water reaches 70° C. This type of flavor preserver is added at a rate of 3 minutes minimum/100 gal water.

3. EDTA—At 280 mg/L mineral content of water, add at a rate of 38 ppm at a temperature less than 100° C. so as to facilitate sequestration. Preferably, the EDTA is added at a temperature of approximately 77° C. Generally, as the liquor is heated from 77° C., more ions dissociate and make themselves available for sequestration.

The rate of addition of EDTA is 20 minutes, minimum. This ensures complete dissolution of all additives (i.e., a substantially homogeneous dispersion of the additive throughout the liquor). The 20 minute duration also is the minimum time necessary to kill any thermophillic bacteria/spores.

4. Xanthan (clarified and hydrolyzed for easy dispersal) is then added. The Xanthan is first clarified so as to achieve a powder color not less than 60. In one embodiment clarification (via high speed centrifugation, e.g., at from 1500 and 8000 rpms, usually at 2000 rpms or above, and preferably at 3600 rpms) occurs at room temperature.

The Xanthan is added at a preferable concentration of 31 grams/gal to achieve the aforementioned industry-specified viscosity values for “Honey” formulations. For “Nectar” viscosities, xanthan is added at a concentration of 24 grams/gal.

Xanthan disperses best and most quickly at higher temperatures. It is heat stable. It is added at a temperature above 95° C. so as to not trap oxygen from liquor agitation. Otherwise, the oxygen will facilitate bacterial growth. Preferably the xanthan is added at below the boiling temperature of the liquor. Xanthan additions below 100° C. are suitable. Preferably, mixing of Xanthan in the building liquor occurs at 95° C. only after product is held at 100° C. for 7 minutes (to kill sulfur degrading bacteria and any spores as well as to aid in dropping out of free iron and sulfur ions).

5. CarboxyMethylCellulose—1.0% by weight for the “Honey” consistency. CMC is added at approximately 95° C.

Surprisingly and unexpectedly, the inventor found that mineral water yielded the best results for producing the food thickener. Tests using this same formula for tap water and distilled water yielded an after taste and a white precipitate. Also, there was opacity associated with the tap water. The mineral water remained clear and tasteless, as well as odorless.

Using the invented method, longer shelf life of the resulting food thickener is attained, with none of the odor and color problems associated with the prior art formulations. Natural flavor of food is maintained. Also, the aftertaste associated with xanthan is eliminated.

Surprisingly and unexpectedly, the inventor found that by starting with mineral water at a pH of 8 or higher, using EDTA as a sequestrant, and sodium hexametaphosphate as a chelating agent, thickened water is produced having no acid taste or after-taste. This is because the at least pH 8 feature provides enough hydroxyl ions to aid in flavor as well as to aid in the chelation and sequestration processes. The negative charge of the hydroxyl ions repel the negatively charged carboxylate and amine groups of the EDTA. This allows the EDTA moieties to seek out and sequester, chelate or otherwise isolate positively charged metal ions in the liquor.

The invented process is illustrated in FIG. 1 as numeral 10. A mineral water source 12 provides water which typically contains chlorine 14. (Municipalities add chlorine to water supplies inasmuch as the electronegative chlorine pulls iron and other target moieties out of suspension. If chlorine levels are low, for example in water sources not municipal in nature, then iron degrading bacteria feeds on the free iron in the tap water to generate iron oxides, thereby also causing water to yellow over time.)

The mixture is placed in a holding tank 16. Settling of the mixture within the holding tank 16 results in precipitation of any free iron. The iron-free mixture then contacts a carbon bed 18 with the adsorption characteristics of the carbon bed resulting in chlorine ions and other undesirable ions being extracted from the mixture.

The mixture 20 is then subjected to a Rosedale filter 22 (i.e., a woven mesh filter approximately 1 inch thick that traps sediment). Once sediment is removed, the mixture is treated with what is called a UV “filter” 24 which is not a mechanical filter but a means for imparting UV radiation to the liquor.

A 0.5 micron filter 26 or similar porosity filter is utilized to remove any pathogens killed by the UV treatment, and the filtrate 28 is passed to a holding tank 30 capable of being heated. Sodium benzoate 32 (at 0.05 percent by weight of the finished product), discussed supra, is added to the holding Lank.

While residing in the tank, the mixture is maintained at or above 70 C. Sodium hexametaphosphate 34 is then added at 750 ppm after which the liquor is further heated. Disodium EDTA 36 is then added at a concentration of 38 ppm and at a temperature of 77 C. After which, the liquor is heated and maintained at 100 C for at least seven minutes, but typically between 7 minutes and 10 minutes to facilitate reaction within the holding tank 30. Reaction times of more than 20 minutes are not typically necessary.

The liquor is allowed to cool to 95 C and transferred to a jacketed stainless steel batch tank having a shear rate of less than 100/second at 22 C. To the vortex imparted to the liquor by the batch tank operation is added clarified hydrolyzed xanthan 40. Prior to addition to the liquor the xanthan is pretreated. First, the xanthan is prepared in situ by treatment with a clarifier 42 whereby the clarifier (i.e., high speed centrifugation) spins at 3600 rpm. Then, just prior to addition to the liquor, carboxy methyl cellulose is added to the xanthan (whereby the cellulose is added to the clarified xanthan at a concentration of more than 1 percent weight of the finished product.

Upon addition of the xanthan to the liquor in the batch tank 38, the liquor is processed for at least 45 minutes or for a time sufficient to homogenize the constituents of the liquor. The liquor is then transferred to an APV Crepeco High Temperature, Short Time Pasteurizer and maintained at 180 F (82.22 C) for 27 seconds. Through-put of this APV unit 44 is 600 gph.

After processing with the APV unit 44, the liquor is transferred to an aseptic pressure vessel 46 to facilitate packing 48 into individual drink/food portions.

Alcoholic Beverage

Preparation Detail

Ethanol-containing beverages are just as sought after among patients with swallowing disorders as with persons not so disabled. A salient feature of the invented protocol is the filtration of spores from wine prior to mixture of the wine with xanthan-based food thickener.

Specifically, to enable wine drinkers suffering from dysphagia to again drink wine or beer, the following protocol is utilized:

Wine is treated for active yeast and spores by the addition of sulfites, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, u.v. radiation or filtration at values of no more than 6 microns (1 micron is preferred).

Once viable yeast/spores have been eradicated, the resulting ethanol-containing liquor is agitated and heated to no more than 100° C. (with 37° C. being preferred). EDTA is added at a rate of 5-50 ppm, with a preferred inclusion rate of 38 ppm. This will ultimately be determined empirically, depending on the palate of the market and the beverage (wine or beer) being modified.

Clarified xanthan is then added at a rate of 3-8 g/L for Nectar-consistency beverages (such as lighter body wines and beer), and greater than 8 g/L for Honey-consistency beverages. Wine should be agitated until clear, bottled and cooled to room temperature or below. Generally, the fewer the spores remaining after filtration the better. The inventor found that less than 100 spores per liter after treatment yielded acceptable taste characteristics, and preferably less than 50 spores.

Swallow Inducing

Protocol Detail

As noted supra, the invention enables a method for inducing the swallow reflex in patients who have lose sensitivity in portions of their tongue and mouths. Surprisingly and unexpectedly, the inventor found that density of fluid placed on the tongue of these patients is more important than viscosity of the fluid. Empirical data reveals that when food (or water) is thickened with the invented thickener to a mass of between 750 and 1250 grams/liter, and preferably to about 1000 grams per liter, a swallowing response is induced. Therefore, such densities provide a means for inducing swallowing in patients with dysphagia.

The swallowing-inducing method comprises mixing a quantity of food thickener with nourishment to create a mixture, wherein the resulting mixture has a density of about 1000 g/liter; and orally administering the mixture to a person suffering from dysphagia. The inventor found that when the thickener-food mixture contacts portions of a patient's tongue, usually the rearward portion of the top surface of the tongue, the gravity induced pressure of the mixture against the tongue induces the patient to swallow the mixture. Generally, the weight percent of the invented thickener product to the entire weight of the mixture is at least 1.3 percent, and preferably between 1.35 percent and 1.8 percent.

In summary, the invention provides a food thickening agent which is produced at and maintained at neutral to alkaline pH levels. A characteristic of the thickening agent is its ability to minimize water activity levels, when a preferred embodiment of the thickener is utilized.

Preservation of the thickener occurs with sterilization using a myriad of commercially available means, including but not limited to high temperature treatment (to a maximum of 110° C. for 2 hours), ultra violet treatment (between 200 and 280 nm and preferably 254 nm), ultra filtration (ranging between 0.01 microns and 2 microns, and preferably 0.05 microns) or irradiation (alpha, beta or gamma radiation).

While the invention has been described with reference to details of the illustrated embodiment, these details are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the use of the invented food thickener in baby formula facilitates hydration of the infant without the need for added chemicals, otherwise necessary to keep down microbial growth.

Another embodiment of the food thickener is as constituent in sports drinks. In this embodiment a reduced inclusion rate (i.e., reduced concentration) of the xanthan is utilized, along with a concomitant increased concentration of isotonic electrolytes and flavors. The xanthan-containing sports drink provides a means for keeping the throat moist longer than if water only was used. Alternatively, instead of providing a hydrated thickener for use in sports drinks, a dry mixture of the thickener is provided, sans mineral water. In this way, the end user mixes tap water with the dry mixture before ingesting the thickened exercise drink. In either the hydrated or dried version, the inventor found that athletes utilizing the mixture found it as a means to control swallowing while running, which is of particular interest to marathon runners and extreme-sports enthusiasts. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for preparing a thickener composition, the method comprising: a) pretreating mineral water; b) combining the pretreated mineral water with a salt of benzoic acid to produce a first mixture; c) combining the first mixture with sodium hexametaphosphate to produce a second mixture, said second mixture being subjected to heat; d) combining the second mixture with EDTA to create a third mixture, said EDTA being present in an amount effective to lower the water activity to 0.75 or below, said third mixture being subjected to heat at a higher temperature than said second mixture; and e) adding a xanthan thickener to create the thickener composition.
 2. The method according to claim 1, said xanthan being added at a temperature of at least 95° C.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the xanthan is first clarified.
 4. The method according to claim 3, said xanthan being clarified by centrifugation.
 5. A method for preparing a thickened food product, comprising: providing a thickener composition, said thickener composition having been prepared by a method comprising: a) pretreating mineral water; b) combining the pretreated mineral water with a salt of benzoic acid to produce a first mixture; c) combining the first mixture with sodium hexametaphosphate to produce a second mixture, said second mixture being subjected to heat; d) combining the second mixture with EDTA to create a third mixture, said EDTA being present in an amount effective to lower the water activity to 0.75 or below, said third mixture being subjected to heat at a higher temperature than said second mixture; and e) adding a xanthan thickener to create a thickener composition; and blending said thickener composition with a liquid food product to prepare the thickened food product.
 6. The method according to claim 5, said thickened food product comprising a juice.
 7. The method according to claim 5, said thickened food product comprising an alcoholic food product.
 8. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of packaging the thickened food product.
 9. The method according to claim 8, comprising packaging the thickened food product in a bag-in-box package.
 10. A method for inducing a swallowing reflex in a patient with oral sensitivity loss, comprising combining a thickener composition with a food product to make a thickened food product having a density of between 750 and 1250 g/liter, administering said thickened food product to said patient, said thickener composition comprising a xanthan based thickener, said thickener composition having been prepared by a method comprising: a) pretreating mineral water; b) combining the pretreated mineral water with a salt of benzoic acid to produce a first mixture; c) combining the first mixture with sodium hexametaphosphate to produce a second mixture, said second mixture being subjected to heat; d) combining the second mixture with EDTA to create a third mixture, said EDTA being present in an amount effective to lower the water activity to 0.75 or below, said third mixture being subjected to heat at a higher temperature than said second mixture; and e) adding a xanthan thickener to create the thickener composition.
 11. A method for inducing a swallowing reflex in a patient with oral sensitivity loss, comprising administering a thickened food product to said patient, said food product having been prepared by combining a thickener composition with a food product to make a thickened food product having a density of between 750 and 1250 g/liter, said thickener composition having been prepared by a method comprising: a) pretreating mineral water; b) combining the pretreated mineral water with a salt of benzoic acid to produce a first mixture; c) combining the first mixture with sodium hexametaphosphate to produce a second mixture, said second mixture being subjected to heat; d) combining the second mixture with EDTA to create a third mixture, said EDTA being present in an amount effective to lower the water activity to 0.75 or below, said third mixture being subjected to heat at a higher temperature than said second mixture; and e) adding a xanthan thickener to create the thickener composition. 